There were a lot of standout performances in the Chicago Bears' 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but rookie second-round wide receiver Luther Burden III had one of the best of the season for the team.
Burden proved to be Caleb Williams' favorite target in the passing game as he caught nine passes for 138 yards and one touchdown in the victory. The top play of the game was his 35-yard touchdown catch as he burned the 49ers' secondary.
One of the toughest moments was seeing Burden get hurt on the final play of the game, as he couldn't put any weight on one leg and had to be carted off the field. There isn't an update on the severity of his injury, but Burden was asked after the game how he was feeling, and he gave a frank answer.
“I gave it my all out there, bro," Burden said via CHGO. "Tired as hell.”
Burden laid it all on the line to help his team however he can
The Bears fan base is starting to see that Burden is a star in the making. He has really stepped up over the last month to become who Williams might see as the number one or two receiver in this offense.
Burden has had three straight games where he has gone for at least 67 yards in a contest. His 138 yards in the 49ers game were a career-high for him and the best Bears rookie receiver performance in 44 years.
This was a Chicago team that didn't have Rome Odunze on the field with his foot injury and needed Burden to step up after the ankle injury that caused him to miss Week 16. Burden more than answered the call with an outstanding performance against a very good 49ers defense.
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Odunze is close to returning, but Williams is building some real chemistry with Burden. Bears fans are just hoping Burden's leg injury isn't serious and that he will be good to go for the postseason, as he has become an important piece of the offense.